Giving News
Our hope is to serve you and your family with helpful information. Read about the latest tax and legal developments relevant to charitable giving along with savvy living tips, personal planning and more.

Savvy Living
Tips and Tools for Family Caregivers
June 28, 2024
Can you recommend any resources that offer help to family caregivers? I have been taking care of my parent and could use some help...
Finding Reliable Health Information Online
June 21, 2024
How can I determine if the health information on a website is trustworthy? I typically research a symptom, drug or health condition online. However, with...
Long-Term Care Benefits for Veterans and Surviving Spouses
June 14, 2024
I recently learned that there are benefits that can help veterans and their spouses with long-term care costs. One of my parents is a veteran...

Washington News
Top Security Tips for Tax Preparers
July 5, 2024
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a new campaign aimed at tax preparer security. The campaign is called "Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself."...
Direct File Improvements Needed
June 28, 2024
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) has completed an analysis of the IRS Direct File pilot program. The report indicated there were several recommendations given to the IRS to improve the Direct File...
Direct File Growth in 2025
June 21, 2024
On June 18, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced that the State of Oregon will join Direct File in 2025. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has invited all...

Personal Planner
Who Will Receive Your Property?
June 28, 2024
"Who should receive my property?" Helen asked her attorney, Clara. "There are so many decisions to make. Since Morgan passed away, I need to make these decisions myself...
Important Life Decisions
June 21, 2024
"How can I plan?" asked Mary. "We just sold our home and bought a retirement condo. Our older child just moved across the country and our younger child will be getting married later this year...
Bypass the Estate Tax
June 14, 2024
There are both temporary and permanent rules for federal estate planning. These principles are helpful in creating estate plans, but it is important to understand the potential future changes...
Finance News
Stocks
3M Releases Earnings Report
January 24, 2025
3M Co. (MMM) released its fourth quarter and full-year earnings report on Tuesday, January 21. The maker of Post-it Notes, Scotch Tape and Command Strips posted better-than-expected sales for the quarter, resulting in its shares...
Bonds
Treasury Yields Rise
January 24, 2025
U.S. Treasury yields rose early in the week as investors assessed the effects of executive orders enacted by the newly inaugurated U.S. president. Yields continued to rise at the end of the week as the...
Interest
Mortgage Rates Decline
January 24, 2025
Freddie Mac released its latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey on Thursday, January 23. The survey indicated a decrease in mortgage rates for the first time in more than a month...